Aaron Alexis Carved Messages On Shotgun Used In Navy Yard Shooting

Aaron Alexis carved odd messages on the shotgun he used to kill 12 people at the Washington, DC Navy Yard on Monday, according to media reports.

Alexis carved “better off this way” and “my ELF weapon” on the shotgun, according to a law enforcement document reviewed by the Associated Press. That document described the firearm as a “sawed off” Remington shotgun.

It’s unclear what Alexis meant in carving the messages. As the Washington Post pointed out, ELF can be an acronym for “extremely low frequency” and may refer to communications efforts.

Officials said Alexis was treated for a host of mental problems prior to the Navy Yard shooting, including insomnia, and had been hearing voices in his head.